Alex Marquez 'honoured' with Ducati factory bike upgrade and now aiming to 'do even better in 2026' as main rival to brother Marc
Published 19/09/2025 at 10:50 GMT+1
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Gresini Racing's Alex Marquez has enjoyed a breakthrough MotoGP season with two race wins, seven other Sunday podiums and a sprint victory. His reward is a factory-spec Ducati bike for the 2026 season, which he says is an "honour" and "another step forward towards our dreams and doing even better in 2026". The next MotoGP race takes place in Japan on September 26-28.
Highlights: Alex Marquez delays brother Marc's title shot with victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alex Marquez says it is "an honour" to be rewarded for his impressive 2025 MotoGP season with an upgrade to a factory-spec Ducati in 2026.
Marquez has enjoyed a breakthrough year that has seen him emerge as the closest challenger to brother Marc at the top of the championship.
Alex has won two GP races, made seven other Sunday podiums, and claimed a sprint victory on a year-old Desmosedici GP24 for Gresini Racing.
As it stands, he will become the second rider outside of the official Ducati team on a factory-spec bike along with Pertamina Enduro VR46's Fabio di Giannantonio.
"It’s an honour to be racing on a factory bike with Team Gresini," said Alex.
"The team has been working impeccably for a few seasons now, and I believe this is a reward for everyone - for myself and the whole team.
"This is another step forward towards our dreams and doing even better in 2026."
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'I feel the pressure' - Marquez celebrates battling win over Bezzecchi at Grand Prix San Marino
Video credit: TNT Sports
With six races of the 2025 season remaining, Alex is the only rider still in mathematical contention to deny Marc a seventh MotoGP title.
That looks unlikely given Marc holds a 182-point advantage at the top of the championship standings, but Alex is in a strong position to finish second.
He currently holds a 93-point lead over Marc’s Ducati factory team-mate Francesco Bagnaia.
"Alex Marquez’s season has been impressive," said Ducati Corse general manager Luigi Dall'Igna.
"After a series of evaluations, Ducati Corse has decided to further increase our support so that the rider and his working group can continue to grow.
"Alex is making the most of the Desmosedici GP’s potential, and we are convinced that, with new updates, next year we will continue to improve together. This will be an added value for the whole Ducati family."
The move to upgrade Alex to a factory-spec bike could mean that Fermin Aldeguer misses out on one next season.
It has been reported that Aldeguer had been promised a full-factory bike in his second season with Gresini.
The next round of the MotoGP season takes place in Japan on September 26-28, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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